Playing PNE WAR with Chemistry Students to Master Atomic Structure

Sep 23

Teaching atomic structure—protons, neutrons, electrons, mass number, and atomic number—can be difficult. But with a little creativity, these fundamental concepts can come alive! A great way to engage students in understanding atomic structure is through the card game PNE WAR, which uses the competitive game of WAR to reinforce key chemistry concepts. A bonus feature in this game set is a spinner wheel that adds an extra layer of excitement and learning to the experience.

What is PNE WAR?

PNE WAR, inspired by the classic card game "War.” Instead of using traditional playing cards, the game uses element cards that contain nuclear notation symbols. With the addition of the spinner wheel, students have another interactive tool to help them practice a variety of atomic properties as they play.

Setting Up the Game

To play, you’ll need the element cards and the spinner. Each card should contain an element symbol in nuclear notation. For example, ⁴⁰Ca. If you want students to have the possibility of going to WAR (i.e. if they have the same number of neutrons, for example), be sure to include elements with mass numbers close to each other (²⁵Mg and ²⁶Al contain the same number of neutrons).

You also want to create a spinner wheel. There are a variety of ways that this could be accomplished.

Create an online spinner wheel that you project on the screen. This is definitely the easiest option, but it does mean that students will need to wait for all groups to finish each round before the wheel is spun again.
Create a wheel in Google Slides, Canva, etc. and cut it out. Tape or glue the wheel to a piece of cardboard and add a spinner wheel.
Create a wheel in Google Slides, Canva, etc. and cut it on sticker paper. If you use a cutting machine (Cricut, etc.), you can use Print Then Cut to do this. Affix the sticker label to a piece of cardboard, or a blank wheel from Amazon. Add the spinner to the wheel.

How to Play PNE WAR

Set the Focus. At the start of each round, one player spins the wheel to determine which property will be compared that round. For example, the spinner might land on “most neutrons.”
Turn over Cards. Each player turns over one card from the top of their stack. They compare the values of the property determined by the spinner. In our example, they would need to determine which atom contains the most neutrons.
Winning the Round. Whichever player meets the property of the category would win both cards for that round and add them to the bottom of their pile.
Tiebreaker. If both students have the same number for the chosen property, they flip over the next top card from their stacks. They compare these cards, and whoever has a card that would meet the property of the category would win all cards in play.
Winning the Game. The game continues until one player has collected all the cards, or after a set time or number of rounds. If playing until a set time or number of rounds, the player with the most cards would win the game.

How the Spinner Enhances Learning

The spinner wheel makes PNE WAR more dynamic by changing the focus each round. Instead of always comparing atomic number, students must shift their attention and think critically about all the properties of an isotope. This approach encourages deeper engagement as students evaluate each element holistically rather than relying on one single characteristic. Because the focus changes every round, students can’t predict which property will matter next, keeping them on their toes and ensuring that they understand each atomic feature in detail.

Why Use PNE WAR in the Classroom?

PNE WAR, especially with the inclusion of the spinner wheel, is a fantastic way to make chemistry lessons more interactive and fun. It’s not just a game—it’s an active learning experience that gets students thinking critically about atomic structure. Whether you’re introducing these concepts or preparing for a review, PNE WAR offers a playful yet powerful way to reinforce learning in the chemistry classroom.

What do you think? Does this activity sound like something you’d like to try in your classroom? If you do, let me know over on Instagram. Happy teaching!